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The Mixed Constitution: Monarchical and Aristocratic Aspects of Modern Democracy
The 2010 British Academy Lecture, given by Dr Mogens Hansen FBA
5.30pm-6.30pm, followed by a drinks reception
Thursday 25 February 2010
British Academy, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1
The theory of the separation of powers between a legislature, an executive and a judiciary is the foundation of modern representative democracy. It was developed by Montesquieu and came to replace the older theory of the mixed constitution which goes back to Plato, Aristotle and Polybios, that there are three types of constitution: monarchy, oligarchy and democracy. When institutions from each of the three types are mixed, an interplay between the institutions emerges that affects all functions of state. Today Montesquieu's separation of powers is obsolete. The mixed constitution deserves to be revived as a corrective to the prevailing view that western states are pure democracies. Ancient political thought is remarkably modern or – rather – modern political thought has much to learn from the Greek and Roman political thinkers.
About the Speaker
Mogens Herman Hansen, a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy, is Reader in Classics at the Saxo Institute, Copenhagen University. He was director of the Copenhagen Polis Centre (1993–2005) and is the author of books and articles on Athenian democracy, the ancient Greek citystate (polis) and the demography of the ancient Greek world.
Annual British Academy Lecture
The annual keynote British Academy Lecture was established to mark the Academy's move to new headquarters in Carlton House Terrace in 1998. The lecture is intended to address a wide audience and advance public understanding of the subjects which the Academy promotes. In general, the chosen subject alternates between the humanities and social sciences.
Lecture
5.30–6.30pm, followed by a reception. Registration is not required for this event. Seats will be allocated on arrival.
